It’s what I wish we had: part two

So how do you make dance music accessible?

I’ll admit, I do listen to Wave 89.1 on Saturday nights, when they (for once) ditch the cheesy R&B, or the redundant hip-hop, and crank the party switch up a notch. You might be surprised to know I do listen to dance, although I’m not particularly crazy about it. There must have been something with electronic beats and dance pulses that gets me up and running - obviously, hyperactive me - but then again, I’ve always seen dance music as something that’s upmarket, something that only those who go to parties can appreciate. I will admit I do get tangled in all those crappy teminologies, but then again I’d go purist and say it’s music all the same.

I rarely listen to dance shows, nevertheless. I often find myself tuning out from Wave on Saturday nights thirty minutes after the start of the show, partly because I’m bored, partly because I’m weirdly looking for more, and partly because it’s somehow dragging - the reason why I still appreciate host banter. I love atmosphere, I love beats, and I can appreciate what you can give me.

Then again, we don’t exactly have anybody who’s willing to welcome people into the world of latenight parties (and only that, please - don’t include the bad that, everybody has to admit, goes with it). I think part of my late blooming is due to the fact that just when I’m supposed to at least welcome it, it’s been patterned as an entirely upmarket thing. I think that’s why we still need the banter, not a bouncer. Get it?

Right now I find myself listening to Annie Mac on BBC Radio 1 (on Listen Again, actually). It’s a dance show, it’s got her talking - introducing stuff, easing me in - and it’s got pretty snazzy tracks. It’s sounds off, me dancing on a Friday afternoon (yes, six hours early), but nevertheless there’s something in it - makes me feel welcome, increases the appreciation, makes a little more of a fan out of myself. On my dial we have around fve stations doing dance on the weekend, and yet it’s just people playing tracks (with the exception of Wave 89.1’s The Blue Room, Magic 89.9’s Magic Mixes, and 99.5 RT’s On The Decks), and yet you could limit the speech to the greetings. What I suddenly love about Annie Mac’s show is that it’s a community, not a huge door with an age limit.

And, take note, I’ve always been an “indie kid” to start with. (That’s not my quote - it’s his.) So much for music discovery, when they wouldn’t really seem to let you.

Annie Mac’s show is aired live on Thursday nights from 21.00 BST on BBC Radio 1. This means you can catch it online, at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1, live in Manila at around 04.00 on Fridays, or you can listen again to her latest show seven days after initial broadcast. The show’s site is at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/anniemac.